Assistant Professor in German Studies & Global Studies

About the Job

The Department of German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch (GNSD) and the Institute for Global Studies (IGS) in the College of Liberal Arts invite applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in global German studies to begin August 31, 2026. This will be a joint appointment in GNSD and IGS. While the tenure home is in GNSD, the teaching and service responsibilities will be shared between the two units. Appointment will be 100% time over the nine-month academic year (late-August to late-May). Appointment will be at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor.
We seek candidates whose research and teaching are transnational and interdisciplinary; we are particularly interested in candidates in German studies whose research and teaching areas might include, for instance, Turkish-German studies, Afro-German studies, Asian German studies, or who have additional areas of research and teaching interests in the Slavic world. Areas of specialization include transnational film and media studies; environmental studies; race and/or migration. Applicants must demonstrate a facility with a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches and be able to contribute significantly to IGS and GNSD; talent for curricular and programmatic innovation; and the intellectual curiosity to participate in scholarly conversations and practices across the liberal arts. The successful candidate will be expected to pursue a rigorous program of research, be committed to effective teaching of a broad range of undergraduate and graduate courses, advise undergraduate and graduate students, and contribute to departmental and professional service appropriate to the rank of the appointment.

The Standards for Promotion and Tenure in the Department of German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch are available at: https://faculty.umn.edu/sites/faculty.umn.edu/files/german_scandinavian_and_dutch.pdf

The Workload Principles and Guidelines for Regular Faculty in the College of Liberal Arts are available at: https://sites.google.com/a/umn.edu/cla-intranet/ofaa/resources/workload-principles--guidelines

Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in German Studies or a related field. We seek candidates able to work in transnational contexts and interdisciplinary methods, who have competence in German language and culture. Native or near-native fluency in German and English, evidence of excellent college/university-level teaching, and commitment to program building. All requirements for the Ph.D. must be completed by August 31, 2026.
Candidates will be evaluated according to the overall quality of their academic preparation and research, evidence of scholarly promise, teaching experience, and the strength of recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications
Candidates whose areas of research and teaching include the Slavic regions, in addition to the German, will be welcomed.

German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch
One of the leading departments of its kind, the Department of German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch is a community engaged in the interdisciplinary study of literature and culture. We offer undergraduate programs in German, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Russian and Swedish as well as a graduate program in German studies.

Department faculty research fields range from transnational studies and intellectual history to cinema and media culture, environmental humanities, Jewish studies, and medieval and early modern studies. Part of a land-grant institution, the Department of German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch sustains connections with the wider community through College in the Schools and other outreach programs.

Institute for Global Studies
The Institute for Global Studies is one of the longest established such programs in the country. IGS connects students, scholars, and communities dedicated to social justice, understanding, and transforming our globalized world. As a hallmark of our success nationally, our faculty come from a range of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, and provide a vibrant interdisciplinary and transnational undergraduate curriculum, cross-campus and community-based programing, and an active research agenda.

About College of Liberal Arts
Established in 1868, the College of Liberal Arts supports the University of Minnesota's land-grant mission as home to disciplines in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
The College of Liberal Arts is committed to intellectual freedom, the pursuit of new knowledge, and the belief that the liberal arts are the foundation of academic learning. CLA prepares students to be independent and original thinkers, innovators in their chosen fields; to create meaning in their lives and in their life's work; and to become productive citizens and leaders in their communities and the world.

The College of Liberal Arts values diverse cultures, experiences, and perspectives as key to innovation and excellent education.
www.cla.umn.edu

Founded in 1851, the University of Minnesota, with its five campuses and more than 65,000 students, is one of the largest, most comprehensive universities in the United States, and ranks among the most prestigious research universities in the world. It is both a major research institution, with scholars of national and international reputation, and a state land-grant university, with a strong tradition of education and public engagement.

Pay Range: $75,000 - $90,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position requires that you upload an example of recent scholarly writing (maximum 5,000 words), and three letters of recommendation that should be sent by the recommenders via Interfolio or via e-mail to kehret@umn.edu.

Applications will be reviewed beginning November 8, 2025; this position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).